Women have long called for FiLiA to help them be heard in the local and national policy space. They have consistently and increasingly highlighted to us that their voices are not heard and are at times deliberately ignored by policy- and decision-makers.

In 2024, we undertook primary and secondary research to better understand and clarify women’s concerns and priorities. This research has identified that women’s current areas of concern include male violence against women and girls, poverty and the cost of living, health, racism, women’s rights to organise and be politically active, and more. Our research has reinforced that women’s differing needs and lives are not being recognised in policies and processes.

FiLiA’s new campaigns and policy team will work to put women firmly on the policy/legislative agenda – to ensure that, whenever policies that impact women are being developed, they have a voice in the decision-making process. Ensuring women are active participants and stakeholders and involving them in policy making will mean better-made, better-targeted and better-delivered policy and legislation.

The Government already has legal and other non-statutory obligations and responsibilities to recognise women within policy, such as within the Equality Act 2010 and the Public Sector Equality Duty, and through equality impact assessments. We want to make sure that these are used consistently and thoroughly. We will work directly with national and local policymakers to provide credible evidence and supportive challenge.

We have also set up the FiLiA Women’s Assembly (FWA) to amplify women’s voices, particularly those who are marginalised, seldom heard or deliberately ignored. Through the Assembly, we will engage with women to support them to develop the skills, networks and knowledge base needed to fully participate and effectively influence within political and policy spheres, thus achieving positive change for themselves and their communities.

Contact us

If you are a policy maker and would like to find out how we can help you with evidence, case studies or support with consultations, please contact: kruti@filia.org.uk

If you are interested in getting involved with the FiLiA Women’s Assembly, whether or not you are already part of a women’s group, please click here for more information, or email womensassembly@filia.org.uk

If you would like us to speak at an event, or provide other support or information, please contact info@filia.org.uk

If you are interested in FiLiA’s work more generally, you can sign up for the newsletter here.

The campaigns and policy team is led by the head of policy. With 13 years’ experience of civil service strategy and policy, and alongside our public affairs lead, she is ideally placed for engagement with government, parliamentary and policy stakeholders, and the wider women’s sector and movement. This is key as we work to develop and embed FiLiA's credibility and visibility within the political and policy spheres..

The FWA develops FiLiA’s unique connections with grassroots women’s campaigners, activists and all women who want their voices to be heard by those in power. We have a national programme of training and events to support women to enter the policy and political spheres with confidence and effect meaningful change for themselves and their communities. Our FWA lead has a background in community activism and extensive experience in local government and the women’s sector.

Our local government work identifies and provides opportunities for women to get involved in policy change and consultations for their areas of interest. We will support women and help them grow their confidence and expertise as they enter the policy realm. Our local government expert has worked in both local and European governments.

We will develop campaigns and support women with building their own campaigns. The team has decades of campaigning experience at both local and national levels. We are working to amplify women’s voices through communications and media and are fortunate to have strategic and digital communications expertise in the team.

The campaigns and policy team will also support the wider work of FiLiA, including on male violence against women and anti-racism.